Intro
In Buddhism, people look for enlightenment and stillness. Some Buddhists are called monks and others are nuns. Buddhists praise Buddha. Buddha is actually not the god. He is just a person that people worshipped. The Chinese Buddhists invaded Japan from China in the 7th century which created the Japanese Buddhists. In the following paragraphs, you will learn about Daily Life of Monks, Buddhist Temples, Buddhist Holidays, Why they meditate, Description of the Religion and the Information on the Different Sects. Daily life of Monks and Nuns
Zen Buddhist Monks and Nuns are extremely devoted and have a very structured life. Every morning they wake up to the sound of a small bell, at 3:30 in the morning (4:30 in the winter). They all head to the cafeteria for their breakfast. It is 1 of the 3 place of silence, including the bath and the meditation hall. The meal starts with chanting as the monks and nuns uncover their bowls putting them in a straight line facing the head monk. The monks must give thanks no matter how bad the meal (some said it was worse than prison food). Days ending in the digits 1,3,6 or 8 are days of begging. The monks go into the town and when the people hear them they give the monks small amounts of rice or money, to which the monks bow deeply (even to children). The days ending in the digits 4 or 9 are days of house cleaning. Monasteries
The Monks lived and stayed in buildings called monasteries. These monasteries could be humble heritages with just sleeping quarters and a cafeteria or giant buildings with a temple, many courtyards, a large meditation hall, and much more. Some of the more powerful monasteries had their own armies (I don’t really know what they were for). To build and fund monasteries of this size the Monks and Nuns became more than hermits devoted to meditation. Many became military rulers or political advisors. Others became legal and financial experts. Overall most monks became people who advised and helped others.
Buddhist Holidays
Theravada Buddhists mark birth, death and life of Buddha. . Buddha is actually not the god. He is just a person that people worshipped. He was powerful. Mahayana celebrate variety of holidays, including New Year and key stages of Buddha. Water festivals- Buddha sprinkled with water, people bathed. Bon festival is to celebrate dead people. It is when people remember their ancestors and their past.
Meditation
Zen Monks meditate because they wish to achieve enlightenment. Zen Monks meditate by resting without movement in a cross legged position against a wall within a silent and calm environment. When meditating for long enough the strain is removed by numbness and a feeling of calmness and serenity holds. To achieve this serenity you must remain still as a statue because it enables you to clear your mind of all thoughts. The head monk walks around, and if he sees a monk asleep or breaking any of the other rules he “corrects” them with the “encouraging stick”.
Description of Zen Buddhism
Buddhism was brought over to Japan from China by monks Eisai and Dogen. Zen Buddhism was one of the main influences for the samurai’s peace, before he chops off your head. Zen Buddhism added the influence of ancient China's "classics ". Much links Zen Buddhism and swordsmanship. The Samurai liked Zen Buddhism because it stressed concentration. Buddha seems like he is a god but he is a normal person like you and me. He was born, lived his life and died. No gods die! Different sects
The different sects of Buddhism are Zen Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese & Korean Buddhism and Japanese Buddhism. In Buddhist temples, Theravada has a 7 meter tall statue Ananda. The Mahayana Buddhism sect was developed in 1st century. The Tibetan Buddhism sect is a type of Mahayana. It developed in Tibet. Chinese & Korean Buddhism came from central Asia, moved eastward. The Japanese Buddhism sect was brought from China during the 7th century. It formed the Zen Buddhism sect. The Zen Buddhism sect is also called Ch’an in Chinese. It also came from China. Zen is the main Buddhism. Zen is important to samurai because they find peace and stillness and of course, Zen.
Conclusion
I hope that this piece will help you become more knowing of Zen Buddhism. Now you know more about Zen Buddhism and is sure to remember important facts of Zen Buddhism. Note: that we didn’t go very in depth in Zen Buddhism.
Citations
Information on Zen Monks and Nuns in Feudal Japan, class handout.
New York: Osprey Publishing, 2005.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 1989
In Buddhism, people look for enlightenment and stillness. Some Buddhists are called monks and others are nuns. Buddhists praise Buddha. Buddha is actually not the god. He is just a person that people worshipped. The Chinese Buddhists invaded Japan from China in the 7th century which created the Japanese Buddhists. In the following paragraphs, you will learn about Daily Life of Monks, Buddhist Temples, Buddhist Holidays, Why they meditate, Description of the Religion and the Information on the Different Sects.
Daily life of Monks and Nuns
Zen Buddhist Monks and Nuns are extremely devoted and have a very structured life. Every morning they wake up to the sound of a small bell, at 3:30 in the morning (4:30 in the winter). They all head to the cafeteria for their breakfast. It is 1 of the 3 place of silence, including the bath and the meditation hall. The meal starts with chanting as the monks and nuns uncover their bowls putting them in a straight line facing the head monk. The monks must give thanks no matter how bad the meal (some said it was worse than prison food). Days ending in the digits 1,3,6 or 8 are days of begging. The monks go into the town and when the people hear them they give the monks small amounts of rice or money, to which the monks bow deeply (even to children). The days ending in the digits 4 or 9 are days of house cleaning.
Monasteries
The Monks lived and stayed in buildings called monasteries. These monasteries could be humble heritages with just sleeping quarters and a cafeteria or giant buildings with a temple, many courtyards, a large meditation hall, and much more. Some of the more powerful monasteries had their own armies (I don’t really know what they were for). To build and fund monasteries of this size the Monks and Nuns became more than hermits devoted to meditation. Many became military rulers or political advisors. Others became legal and financial experts. Overall most monks became people who advised and helped others.
Buddhist Holidays
Theravada Buddhists mark birth, death and life of Buddha. . Buddha is actually not the god. He is just a person that people worshipped. He was powerful. Mahayana celebrate variety of holidays, including New Year and key stages of Buddha. Water festivals- Buddha sprinkled with water, people bathed. Bon festival is to celebrate dead people. It is when people remember their ancestors and their past.
Meditation
Zen Monks meditate because they wish to achieve enlightenment. Zen Monks meditate by resting without movement in a cross legged position against a wall within a silent and calm environment. When meditating for long enough the strain is removed by numbness and a feeling of calmness and serenity holds. To achieve this serenity you must remain still as a statue because it enables you to clear your mind of all thoughts. The head monk walks around, and if he sees a monk asleep or breaking any of the other rules he “corrects” them with the “encouraging stick”.
Description of Zen Buddhism
Buddhism was brought over to Japan from China by monks Eisai and Dogen. Zen Buddhism was one of the main influences for the samurai’s peace, before he chops off your head. Zen Buddhism added the influence of ancient China's "classics ". Much links Zen Buddhism and swordsmanship. The Samurai liked Zen Buddhism because it stressed concentration. Buddha seems like he is a god but he is a normal person like you and me. He was born, lived his life and died. No gods die!
Different sects
The different sects of Buddhism are Zen Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Chinese & Korean Buddhism and Japanese Buddhism. In Buddhist temples, Theravada has a 7 meter tall statue Ananda. The Mahayana Buddhism sect was developed in 1st century. The Tibetan Buddhism sect is a type of Mahayana. It developed in Tibet. Chinese & Korean Buddhism came from central Asia, moved eastward. The Japanese Buddhism sect was brought from China during the 7th century. It formed the Zen Buddhism sect. The Zen Buddhism sect is also called Ch’an in Chinese. It also came from China. Zen is the main Buddhism. Zen is important to samurai because they find peace and stillness and of course, Zen.
Conclusion
I hope that this piece will help you become more knowing of Zen Buddhism. Now you know more about Zen Buddhism and is sure to remember important facts of Zen Buddhism. Note: that we didn’t go very in depth in Zen Buddhism.
Citations
Information on Zen Monks and Nuns in Feudal Japan, class handout.
New York: Osprey Publishing, 2005.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 1989